Dispatch worker placed on administrative assignment for hanging up on 911 caller during teen’s shooting death

UPDATE: The dispatcher, Matthew Sanchez, resigned Tuesday night.

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A dispatch worker for the Albuquerque Fire Department has been removed from the dispatch center and placed on administrative assignment after hanging up on a 911 caller who was trying to get paramedics to the scene in which Jaydon Chavez-Silver was shot and killed.

Matthew Sanchez is accused of hanging up on the caller after she became agitated while talking to dispatch.

Sanchez hung up on her after she cursed on the phone while talking to him.

The partial transcript of the conversation can be see below:

Caller: (inaudible) I’m keeping him alive.

Sanchez:  Is he not breathing?

Caller: Barely.  (inaudible) Stay with me.  Stay with me, ok.  Good job Jaydon.

Sanchez: Is he breathing?

Caller: He’s barely breathing.  How many times do I have to f—ing tell you?

Sanchez: Ok, do you what ma’am?  You can deal with yourself.  I’m not going to deal with this, ok.

Caller: No, he’s going to die.

The call ends there.

Chavez-Silver was reportedly sitting on the kitchen counter at a party on Nakomis NE June 26 when police believe someone walked or drove by the home and fired up to six shots into the house, striking him. He died in the hospital.

“After learning of the alleged misconduct, Driver Matthew Sanchez was immediately removed from the dispatch center and placed on administrative assignment. An internal investigation has been initiated. As the Chief of the department, I am taking the allegation very seriously,” said AFD Chief David Downey.

Police have still not made any arrests in the case.

Nicole Chavez, Jaydon’s mother, sent KOB the following statement Monday afternoon:

“We heard rumors about the 911 operator hanging up on the caller when Jaydon was shot but had no other information. After hearing the call today, it is heartbreaking to listen to. Right now, we just want to find the people responsible for this violent, deadly crime. We have set up a reward fund at Bank of the West and it is up to $4,000. Anyone with information can call 242-COPS.”